Growth Response to Daily Subcutaneous Administration of Growth Hormone

The effect on growth rate of daily subcutaneous (sc) administration of growth hormone (GH) was studied in seven GH-deficient children. All patients had been receiving conventional GH treatment (intramuscularly, twice or thrice weekly) for three to six years. The growth-promoting effect of conventional treatment gradually decreased in these seven patients 4.0 ± 0.3 (mean ± SD) cm%sol;year during the last preceding year of conventional treatment]. Following transfer to daily sc GH treatment without increase in weekly dosage, all seven patients showed an increase in growth rate (7.5 ±1.1 cm%sol;year, P>0.001). During the period of daily sc GH treatment, the pubertal stage did not advance in six of the seven patients. An increase in Δheight age%sol;Δbone age ratio was observed in six patients. None of the patients developed antibodies against GH. Local reactions were not observed at the injection site. Daily sc GH injections were tolerated without complaint. In conclusion, daily sc GH treatment is recommended for patients whose growth response to conventional GH treatment is poor.